Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Psalm 114 - by Jason Coghill
Notes from teaching on Psalm 114 by Jason Coghill of Ministry of Psalms
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| Jason Coghill |
SING READINGS:
Ps. 77:15-20 (“Amazing” key G) Ex. 14:26-end.
Josh.3:5 & 14-end
Ps. 114 (When I Survey key D) Mark 4:35-end
INTRO: sense of smell…triggers memory. Hearing too! Esp. songs
A Remembrance psalm – recounting awesome deliverance & entry…
NB: Form: (God as Artist). Not just profound content, but beautiful form/style:
Most beautifully constructed song in the Bible. Striking imagery in “Heb. Parallelism.”
THEIR SONG - The Israel Then:
Vs. 1&2 –
Set the scene. Ref to an historical fact… (we read it)
Slaves to a people of foreign/strange language. Evil slave drivers…Bricks without…
Language barriers - frustrating at best of times...
400 years about to end. God’s power, justice & mercy revealed…
His protection & dominion over His people, (Israel/Jacob).
“Sanctuary…dominion” – Ex. 19:5,6 – “…if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people…and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Such event must be recorded. Psalmist had to write a song!
Maybe too overwhelming for long detail… leaves room for imaginations
Vs. 3&4 –
From now, whole mood/emotion = awestruck/wonder. Culminating at v.7 –“Tremble...”
Red Sea is personified. A million people entering… (Ex.12- “600,000 men.”).
Great army of thousands: chariots & horseman in hot pursuit.
“The sea saw and fled…” Fled in awestruck obedience to the will of God. People passed...
“The Jordan turned back…” – 40 years in 2 verses. (Josh. 3)
Mountains become like frightened rams; little hills like lambs. Esp. at Mt. Sinai (Ex.19)
“Skipped…” – Not peaceful meadow scene… (See Ps.29 context)
Mood is that of trouble or anxiety…
so psalmist asks:
Vs.5&6 –
Why such reaction O creation?...
Rhetorical Q. – Requires no answer. Rhetorical = concerned with style/dramatic effect. Therefore not so much answer, but a statement:
Climactic statement! Psalm has built up to, to reveal who’s behind all this.
Vs.7&8 –
The sea fled…mountains skipped b/c of the presence of the LORD!
The LORD created them, & has absolute dominion over them. “Stormy wind fulfils” Ps148
Esp. when that Word is bringing salvation. If it means stopping the sea, it will happen!
Not just sea & mountains but whole earth! “The earth is the..”Ps.24
“Tremble O earth…” Why? He “turned the rock into pool…” Num.20:11
Not just a rock turning into water – but flint, hard rock into fountain of waters!
Similar theme in Phil. 2:12 “Tremble O earth….” Why? b/c of God’s work… .
What has God done in us? Their song becomes “Our Song”
OUR SONG – The Israel Now
We too come out of an Egypt…Slaves to sin…Rom.6
“But… (Rom 6:17)…thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.”
What doctrine? The Gospel! Jesus Christ, crucified. Sacrificed for our sins!
We put our faith in Him alone & His righteousness alone
How did we come to “obey doctrine from the heart…?”
“He turned the rock into pool…” He our hearts of rock into flesh, (Ezek. 36).
Jesus said, John 4:14- “Whoever drinks the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” 1 Cor.10 – “They, (O.T Israel) all drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”
Text: “Judah became His sanctuary…
We – the new Israel, (people of God) are the sanctuary of God. He “does not dwell in temples made with hands” - (Acts 17)
So What?
The sea fled, mountains skipped… earth trembled… Serious stuff.
Serious God. Serious Christ.
Finish with Heb.13:28 – “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
Are you a saved person today? Have you come out of Egypt? Has your thirst been quenched by the waters from the living Rock – Jesus Christ?
Only Christ can redeem you from your Egypt of sin & guilt.
Only Christ can give you the water of eternal life.
And He does so to all who come to Him in faith.
“But my sin’s too great…” “You don’t know my situation…”
Christ knows it better than you do. He stopped wind & sea to save His people!
Psalm 1 - by Jason Coghill, Ministry of Psalms
World of contrasts & Categories Rich/Poor Quick/Slow Winners/Loosers Upper Class, Middle…Lower. Been said, “3 types of people: Those who make things happen…watch things…don’t even know happening.” Left brain/Right brain. Politics- Right wing/Left wing. Youth: Cool/Uncool In/Out
Remember young: Talk about God. Question heard a lot was “Catholic /Christ?
(Interestingly, don’t hear this Q. put like that these days, as if same thing)
Point: World seems to have us categorised or contrasted & depending where you are, so will be your happiness/blessedness.
True to certain degree: only temporary; True when looked from “under the sun”.
But what does God have to say? Bible? About categories of people?
In relation to God & eternity: God sums up all contrasts & cat’s into 2 groups:
Those who are blessed & those who are not.
The righteous and the unrighteous (or the wicked.)
From God’s perspective & according to His eternal plan/decree – only 2 Cat’s.
Every man, women, boy, girl is in one or the other – no in between.
Theme
Theme of Psalm 1. Indeed, whole book & whole bible.
From Gen 3:15 to Revelation, battle b/w seed of woman/Satan
Between blessedness and cursed; good & evil; righteous & wicked.
All as a result of not obeying God. Not walking in His ways.
Context
[[ Book of Psalms – Heb. “praises” 150 songs of praise. Not necc. = “Pos.”
The beauty & reality of Psalms lies in fact that it’s most comp. & personal.
Luther: “You might rightly call the Psalter a Bible in minature.”
Compreh. b/c they speak of the majesty of God; the Kingship of God, and coming “King of Kings”; the covenant promises of God; the God of creation; the law of God; the Judgement of God; the salvation of God. There are Historical Psalms; Wisdom Psalms; Lament Psalms; Thanksgiving Psalms…….Comprehensive!!
Yet, (as Allan Harman): Don’t just speak to us, but also for us. They’re personal.
Can’t think of human condition/emotion that Psalms wouldn’t touch on, at least princ.
Are you poor & needy? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you deeply depressed? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you afraid? Are you suffering physical or spiritual anguish?.... Are you rejoicing?..... Do you have happiness & peace?..... ]]
Psalm 1 expressing general truth, no specific reference to persons or occasion.
“man”, the “ungodly” & the “righteous” could apply to any one, any time.
So fitting to introduce Psalms. What is summarised is brought out in detail.
I.e, fuller outworking of the contrasting principle:
blessedness (Godly obedience), destruction (living outside God’s counsel.)
Purpose
So, accordingly, twofold purpose: To encourage and to warn.
Encourage believer - blessings of walking in obedience God’s counsel.
Warn ungodly (i.e. unbeliever) - destruction of living in disobedience to God
There is a final judgement, (v.5), then eternity. Righteous will live; unrighteous perish.
Who is righteous b4 God? How do we attain this?
Gospel/Christianity = justified/righteous by faith not law. (Rom.3). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8). “Lest anyone…” Us & psalmist. Calvary = retro & pros.
Important to remember re Psalm 1 & other OT passages. No one is saved by works.
Yet psalm seems to say “The righteous man is blessed b/c NOT doing this & DOING that.” Salvation by works? No. It’s the works of Salvation!!
God’s word says “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2) Works prove faith not merit it.
If we were chosen in Christ to be holy b4 foundation of world, (Eph.1) so was Psalmist!
The blessed life of the righteous
Important to note 1st word, “Blessed…” Heb. has force of interjection “O the deep happiness of the man” “the deep, enviable contentment of the man”
True, genuine, real, deep, happiness!
What characterises such a person? Such blessedness? Who is this? What’s he like?
Ask the world that Q. “Blessed…lots of money” “…owns a house” “…social prestige” “everyone like you…”
True to certain extent – shallow, temporary extent. Not the blessed talked about here.
Godly happiness/contentment b/c of Godly righteousness, not wordly happy b/c of worldly things. Same word in Ps. 32 – re being right with God, having your sin & guilt removed.
Firstly, characterised Neg. – By not: Conforming to the patterns of the ungodly (Rom 12:2)
“Who walks not in counsel of ungodly.” Not necc. a literal walk. All of life!
How you live your life, (walk through life). Won’t listen to world’s advice contrary to Bible
From how you got here, (evolution) to what you do here, (how you work, watch TV, play sport, have re’ships, use money…etc)
Eg, Ungodly counsel says “watch this film, it’s good” But you know full of sexual innuendo & Lord’s name will be sworn in it. If conscience re this, (& every Christian will) You’ll have the blessedness/true happiness of God by NOT watching that film.
Ungodly counsel, “It’s only a film! Entertainment! There’s nothing wrong with sex & saying God/Jesus for dramatic expression!” Of course not, if we’re only products of evolution apart from a moral God.
Another EG. Dinner at Q’cliff. Forgot to charge for the Salad. $3.50.
Counsel of ungodly = “Don’t say anything, it’s their mistake..” I was really tempted!
And felt convicted & terrible. I told waitress, & paid her. She was surprised at my honesty. And instantly I felt a peace, happiness, blessedness!!
Blessed man delights in the law. Law says don’t steal. I would’ve taken $3.50 that really wasn’t mine.
Ps.28 “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways”
1 John 1 “If we claim fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie & don’t live by truth” But if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another & blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” The ultimate blessedness!!
“Walking… includes/embraces standing in path of & sitting in seat of
Yet interesting Literary feature: “walks not” “nor stands”, “nor sits”.
Seems to imply increasing acceptance toward ways of ungodly.
First walking (past), then standing, (with, or being in with), finally sitting, (in the seat, i.e. abiding, residing with) Increasing acceptance of ungodly ways
So, avoiding such paths will bring fullness of blessedness/ultimate happiness.
The Christian’s associations/ company /pleasures are found elsewhere – Vs.2
Vs.2 Blessedness expressed Pos.
How? By delighting in the law of the Lord. 10 commandments? Yes. Laws of Moses? Yes
The Pentateuch? Yes. What about principles/precepts in Prophets & Kings? Yes. N.T laws? Yes. You mean the whole bible? Yes - For you & Me. For psalmist, all available written & verbal rev. of God.
“Law” Lit. “instruction” (Alan Harman) “Fullness of God’s teaching for His Children”
The psalmist’s delight/pleasure is the WOG! And he only had ½ of it!
How much more the full rev of Jesus Christ & gospel be our delight!
How much does he love the God’s word? Day & Night he meditates!
Word “meditates” means to murmur/talk quietly to yourself the words of God.
Quote scripture to yourself, wherever you are at any time – Day & night.
Is this your delight? Are you most happy doing this? Are you like this blessed man?
This is the character of the Christian. The WOG is, (Deut.6) “to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up.”
Why does he delight in law? Why delight in bible? B/c it keeps us from picture of v.1 (sin)
“Thy word have I hid in my heart…” (Ps.119). He delights b/c Word = greatest happiness!
Jonathon Edwards, “Knew no greater happiness, but that connected with a conscience void..
V.3 - Agricultural Similie.
A Picture/description of the blessed man.
Common similitude/picture in Scripture. Amazing parallel in Jer. 17:7,8.
Ps. 92:12-14 “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age.
And Jesus: “I am the Vine” We will be fruitful if remain in Him & His words remain in us
“planted…” Lit. “transplanted” Interesting – taken from its original, natural place of growth to a more well cultivated environment – to increase well being/fruitfulness.
“rivers of water…” Lit. channels or canals. Irrigated & cultivated with care.
Fruit in season…leaf shall not wither… prosperity in all he does.
The non-blessed life of the ungodly
V.4 - “The ungodly are not so…” Not like previous vs. Complete opposite to a tree.
Chaff = unstable, not root or fruit. Blown away (as custom of threshing in open field).
“Therefore ungodly shall not stand…” In final judgement? Yes. But parallel verse more likely context: “congregation of righteous” When worshipping community met.
The seriousness/weight of this teaching is reinforced in Matt.3:12
3. The Sovereignty of God in it all
A summary of blessed/Non-blessed life
Why it will ultimately be this way – B/c “God knows…”
God is the transplanter & irrigator of vs. 3
How encouraging/comforting for believer!!
M.H – “ Let this support the drooping spirits of the righteous, that the Lord knows their way, knows their hearts, (Jer. 12:3), knows their secret devotions, (Matt. 6:6), knows their character, how much soever it is blackened & blemished by the reproaches of men, [& their own sin].”
How terrible for unbeliever!! “There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death” Prov. 14:12
Yet, today is the day of salvation. Still a gospel call!
Remember John 3:16. Contrast = “shall not perish…have eternal life”
V. 36 – bit like summary of Ps.1 Summary of whole bible/Christianity.
© copyright 2010 Jason Coghill. All rights reserved.
Friday, September 17, 2010
PSALM 130 - by Jason Coghill
Psalm 130 by Jason Coghill, Ministry of Psalms - Listen to MP3 Now
PSALM 130
Jason Coghill
Book of Psalms – Heb. “praises” Songs & prayers of praise. Not necc. = “Pos.”
Beauty & reality of Psalms lies in fact that it’s most comp. & personal.
Luther: “You might rightly call the Psalter a Bible in minature.”
Compreh. b/c they speak of the majesty of God; the Kingship of God, and coming “King of Kings”; the covenant promises of God; the God of creation; the law of God; the Judgement of God; the salvation of God. There are Historical Psalms; Wisdom Psalms; Lament Psalms; Thanksgiving Psalms…….Comprehensive!!
Yet, as Allan Harman: Don’t just speak to us, but also for us. They’re personal.
Can’t think of human condition/emotion that Psalms wouldn’t touch on, at least princ.
Are you poor & needy? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you deeply depressed? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you afraid? Are you suffering physical or spiritual anguish?.... Are you rejoicing?..... Do you have happiness & peace?.....
Are you not a Christian? Know nothing of God’s mercy & love? Read Ps. 32 & ask Q.
In fact many Psalms can point you in the way of salvation, incl. the one we now turn to.
Psalm 130, classified as a Penitential psalms, (sorrow for sin), as Ps. 51 & 32.
No specific mention of personal sins, but implied in vs. 3 & 4. Also, vs.7 & 8.
A CRY…for mercy from God (vs.1 & 2)
“Out of the depths…” Not a shallow, petty, minor situation. But a deep, serious situation brought about, not only by his own sin, but, judging from other passages with similar wording, the sins of others around him:
Same wording in Ps. 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you.” Context here is not so much personal sin, but it’s a cry for mercy b/c of the wicked, who “speak peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.” and “do not regard the works of the LORD.”
Psalm 6 is similar: “My soul is greatly troubled…Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity…for the LORD has heard my supplication.”
Israelites, out of the depths of slavery, cried out to God, & we read, “God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.” Ex.2
Blind Bartimaeus, (Mk 10), out of the depths of poverty, begging from roadside, “Son of David…” x2!!
Bros & Sis, let’s not conform to pattern… “Big boys don’t cry.” Mature people don’t…
When we’re in the depths, (b/c our sin or others), note this 1st verse…..
And be assured, (from above texts, & later), that the plea of vs.2 will be answered.
A CONFIRMATION… of forgiveness from God (vs.3 & 4)
“mark iniquities… I.E, take watchful note of; keep a record of. We do this don’t we?
Psalmist saying, “What if you O LORD, who sees all, & knows all I’ve done…If you..”
“…who could stand?” I.E, In the presence of a holy and just God. Cf. Ps.1
Who could continue with or dwell with God? Who could be justified & righteous b4..
A rhetorical Q. i.e. Q where answer is implied.
Psalmist knows answer is No One!!
He says so in [Ps.143:1,2] Parallel pass. Notice similar wording.
2 other texts that confirm this: Rom. 3:23 – “all have sinned and fall short…”
Rom. 3:10 – “there is none righteous, no, not one” Neg. side of gospel.
Vs.4 = Pos side. Indicated by that word “but”. Blessed word! Hopeful word…
You apply for job… Employer calls & says, “Sorry you were unsuccessful…However..
“But…” (same meaning). At this point, your hope starts to rise… “another position..
Doctor says, “Results of X-ray showed a small growth just below left breast…but... (suddenly fear turns to hope), “but, it’s not cancerous & easily removed”
[Read vs. 3&4]
“Forgiveness…” Forgiveness for his iniquity/sins. Not b/c of burnt offerings or blood sacrifices req’d (in Leviticus). Cf. Ps.40 & 51 – Sacrifices & offerings not the basis…
Hebrews says, these are a shadow/type pointing to the reality of the ultimate sacrifice for sins –the God man Jesus Christ, perfect lamb of God who takes away our sins.
[Read Heb.9:13-15]
This is an awesome, amazing fearful thing. I say fearful, b/c that should be response.
Look at what it says, vs.4
“therefore you are feared…” Therefore highest love & reverence/awe are due.
Cf. Ps.2 “Rejoice…with trembling”
M.H – “It is our unspeakable comfort, in all our approaches to God, that there is forgiveness with him, for that is what we need.”
A CONFIDENCE... in waiting for God (vs.5 & 6)
Not waiting to see if Lord may forgive, but when Lord will forgive. Heb. “to expect”
Hopeful expectation of God’s mercy. How hopeful? 2 indications:
1/ Repetition: usually indicates importance. Tells us 3 times in 2 verses!
2/ E.g of Watchman: (which also includes rep!); “More than those who watch…”
Who are those who watch? You’ve heard “Night Watchman” at factory, Gov. Building
Comes from the bible! In Biblical times, watchman would guard whole towns, Ps.127
Watchmen waited for the dawn with eagerness, patience, confidence…
Psalmist says, “I’ll do it even more, for God!
On what grounds/basis? Vs.5 – “In His word I do hope”
The W.O.G Not word of man! He knows, “..better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man or princes.”
His hope is W.O.G not current sociological/psychological counsel. He knows W.O.G!!
He’s experienced it in past: Perhaps he remembered God’s word to him thru Nathan…
“The LORD has taken away your sin…you are not going to die”
Or perhaps he recalled God’s word to him in Ps.32 – “I acknowledged my sin to you & did not cover….. I said, I’ll confess….forgave the guilt of my sin”
He had a confidence in waiting for the Lord. Christian, learn from this! If David, who only had “shadow of the good things to come”, (Heb.10), so waited for Lord…
How much more we who have “the reality” the fullness of salvation revealed!!
Listen to Heb.9:27 – “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Christian do you know God’s Word? No confidence in waiting if not! Do you “meditate on it daily” Ps.1 Have you “hid it in heart…” ps.119. If not, no confidence
But if so, put yourself in vs.5 & 6 & claim them for yourself!!
A CONVEYING... to others (vs. 7 & 8). Encouraging his people.
What he has discovered…wants rest of God’s people to be reminded of.
Similar Ps. 32 “Therefore, let everyone who is Godly”. “We cannot help but speak...”
Why? B/c with the Lord is “mercy” – “steadfast love” a sure, unfailing love.
Unfailing love b/c it’s the greatest love; and “greater love has no man than this…”
“abundant redemption” - Plenty redemption; full redemption! Jesus said, “I have come that ye may have life…” (Jn.10) Also, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” (Jn.10)
Vs.8 – “redeem” – buy back as a ransom. Again, pointing to Jesus Christ: Listen to Heb. again: [9:15] – “…now He (Christ) has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
“from all his iniquities.” Jesus takes away our sins past, present & future!
Christian, be reminded & encouraged!
When in the depths…Cry out…. Your forgiveness will be Confirmed…Be Confindednt as you wait… Convey or remind & tell your brethren.
A word to any who do not believe & no this great mercy & love of God:
Go back 3 Psalms, Ps.127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds…”
You must see yourself in Vs. 1 & 2 of our text. You must see your need to cry…
And let me qualify important thing re Vs.3. Lord does mark you sins, esp. unbelief!
And unless your sin is dealt with it will remain marked…
And depth from which Psalmist cries is shallow compared to depths of hell.
Today is the day of salvation…of forgiveness…of steadfast love…of abundant redemption.
© copyright 2010 Jason Coghill. All rights reserved.
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